The #ChiWaterWeek Calendar
5 days.
Dozens of events.
Hundreds of cross-sector water leaders.
September 28, 2020 - October 2, 2020
Monday, September 28, 2020
VIRTUAL PROGRAM DETAILS
Exploit the Full WWTP Potential: Digester Optimization & Biogas Utilization
Webinar, Free
Hosted by the Consulate General of Denmark - The Trade Council
Wastewater Reclamation Facility operators, as they operate or update their existing plants, have a great opportunity to look into the optimization potential of their digester and biogas infrastructure – i.e. generate additional energy and tipping fee revenue from intake of food waste, and be a positive force in addressing climate change through innovate solutions and technologies.
Guest speaker Greg Kester, Director of Renewable Resource Programs at CASA, provided an overview of the unexploited opportunities and challenges of co-digestion and biogas at Wastewater Reclamation Facilities.
During this webinar, the following themes were covered:
Watch the first part of the event here, and the second part here.
Partners in Innovation: How to Collaborate with Universities and National Labs
Panel Discussion, Free
Hosted by the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Teaming up with universities and national labs gives industry access to some of the brightest minds and most innovative tools to build their R&D pipeline. This panel discussed the various opportunities for research collaboration, available capabilities and technologies for licensing across the University of Chicago, Argonne, and Fermi – and the best ways in which to engage as partners in innovation.
Watch the event here.
Blue Jobs in a Clean Water Workforce Economy
Panel Discussion
Hosted by Sierra Club - Illinois Chapter
Clean water workforce careers are essential to not only physical health but our economic health as well. Illinois' infrastructure is in dire need of repair. Building, repairing and upgrading our water infrastructure will create thousands of good paying jobs. Water infrastructure upgrades will protect our rivers and lakes from pollutants and ensure clean drinking water for all. The "Blue Workforce" sector is wide open and ready to meet 21st century challenges through cutting edge innovative technology.
New Research in UV LED Disinfection
Webinar, Free
Hosted by Halo
The germ-killing properties of UV light makes it an attractive alternative to chemicals for water disinfection. Much more recently, scientists have developed LED UV technology that offers the same advantages, but with much broader application due to its smaller size and lower power requirements. Halo, the collaboration platform for scientific innovation, had an interactive webinar with some of the leading scientists and startups working in the field of UV LED water disinfection. Researchers provided an overview of their latest innovations and how they may be applied to a commercial setting.
Promoting Equity: Assisting Low-Income Chicago Residents with Water Bills and Lead Service Line Replacement
Webinar, Free
Hosted by the City of Chicago Department of Water Management
Chicago has recently announced two equity-focused programs to provide lower income residents with assistance in paying their water bills and replacing lead service lines that could serve as a model for other communities. Utility Billing Relief (UBR) provides low-income Chicago residents with a reduced rate on their water, sewer, and water-sewer tax as well as debt relief for those who demonstrate they can manage the reduced rate bills for one year. The Equity Lead Service Line Replacement Program will provide complete lead service line replacement for eligible low-income residents whose water has consistently tested above 15ppb.
City officials offered the specifics of each program and reviewed how equity was woven into the development of each. Speakers included:
Angela Tovar, City of Chicago Office of the Mayor
Third Coast Disrupted: Artists + Scientists on Climate
Daily 9 AM - 5 PM, available through October 30
Art Exhibition, Free
Glass Curtain Gallery – Columbia College Chicago
1104 S. Wabash Ave., 1st Floor, Chicago
Gallery capacity is 10 visitors; masks are required
Hosted by Third Coast Disrupted, a collaboration between Columbia College Chicago, DePaul University’s Institute for Nature and Culture, and Terracom
An exhibition of newly commissioned artworks culminating a yearlong conversation between artists and scientists centered on climate change impacts and solutions in the Chicago region.
Through science-inspired sculpture, painting, collage and more, the artworks examine local impacts -- happening here and now -- ranging from extreme heat to flooding to habitat loss, and more. They also shine light on local solutions underway, like "cool roofs," nature-based approaches to slowing stormwater, and backyard habitat restoration. Some imagine future possibilities.
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
VIRTUAL PROGRAM DETAILS
Lead Weight: How We Can Drop This Drinking Water Threat for Good
Webinar, Free
Hosted by the Metropolitan Planning Council
Clean, safe, affordable water should be a given but it’s not—and that needs to change. Lead poisoning is a serious public health problem that is even more prevalent in Black and Brown communities. During this session, attendees learned about state and city solutions that also create jobs in the communities.
Speakers:
Watch the event here.
Exploring Real-Time Water Quality Monitoring in the Great Lakes
Weekly Chi Hack Night Event, Free
Hosted by Chi Hack Night with Current, the Cleveland Water Alliance and the Great Lakes Observing System
During the first hour of this weekly fun, volunteer, civic hacking community event that addresses our city's needs, attendees heard a presentation from the Great Lakes Observing System and Current. They discussed present water quality monitoring efforts in the Great Lakes and what it will take to get more robust monitoring and transparency in our region.
Watch the event here.
How Water Can Transform Lives Throughout the Developing World
Conversation, Free
Hosted by DePaul University's Coleman Entrepreneurship Center
The Coleman Entrepreneurship Center hosted a talk with President and CEO of Living Water International, Mike Mantel, about the necessity and importance of safe water all over the world, and specifically in developing countries. Mike shared his experiences and how he and his team raise awareness, fundraise and mobilize people to come together to implement safe water in communities that desperately need it.
Attendees explored the power of water and its ability to transform peoples' lives by improving their health, sanitation, education, social justice issues, and overall livelihoods.
Presenters included:
Watch the event here.
The 2020 Elections and the Great Lakes
Webinar, Free
Hosted by the Alliance for the Great Lakes
As the 2020 election season ramps up, voters are getting ready to mark their ballots. They’re researching candidate platforms, attending events and asking tough questions of candidates, and talking with family, neighbors, and friends about the election.
The Great Lakes have long enjoyed strong bipartisan support, because people of all backgrounds can see the value of clean water. Right now, we have an opportunity to encourage candidates to stand up for the Great Lakes and hold them accountable once elected. Although the presidential election leads the news, candidates are running for offices at the local, state, and federal levels. Every office on the ballot, from mayors to the President of the United States, will have the opportunity to influence the Great Lakes and water issues after the election. To help voters get involved this election season, we’ve developed a new toolkit — The 2020 Election Season & the Great Lakes.
We’ve also launched a Great Lakes Voter Information Center, which is available in English & Spanish. There you can check your voter registration status, learn about candidates on your local ballot, find your local polling location, and learn about mail-in or absentee voting in your state.
The webinar shared the toolkit and had a conversation about how you can get involved to raise awareness about Great Lakes issues this election season.
Watch the event here.
Impact Investing in Water
Repartee, Free
Hosted by FLOW
This webinar focused on how impact investors can play an important role in accelerating innovations that address the water needs of the world’s most vulnerable communities. This repartee-style discussion emerged out of recent exchanges with individuals who have experience in communities that simply can’t afford technologies that ensure safer and healthier households, schools, and neighborhoods. Some innovations are high-tech, yet some have been around for ages; however, for many communities, innovative technology solutions to water quality and quantity challenges are simply elusive.
Using AI For Water Research
Webinar, Free
Hosted by Argonne National Laboratory
Creating new strategies for how we treat water and maintain or update our water infrastructure will require the adaptation of new technologies to help solve questions in water. One new technology, artificial intelligence (AI), offers scientists the ability to create smart systems to more nimbly manage, and even close, water cycles. AI will enhance how we use water purposefully and help address critical topics in water research: materials, selective separation, sensors and controls, manufacturing, modeling, and sustainability.
This webinar featured five presentations by Argonne researchers exploring different aspects of how AI can be applied to solve challenges in the water space.
Watch the event here.
Beyond the Bill - Strategies to Achieve Water and Community Affordability
Discussion, Free
Hosted by the Center for Neighborhood Technology
The cost of water is on the rise due to decades of disinvestment in our community water supply, stormwater, and wastewater infrastructure systems, resulting in water unaffordability challenges in many communities. However, water bills are not the only factor driving community unaffordability. As water infrastructure investment needs continue to rise, it is necessary to look at all aspects of a community’s cost of living to help households reach economic stability.
CNT’s Jen McGraw and Anna Wolf, and IB Environmental’s Stacey Isaac Berahzer discussed the state of water, community affordability, and provided an overview of our new water and community affordability action planning guide.
Hard to Kill: New Approaches for PFAS Destruction
Repartee, Free
Hosted by FLOW
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is a family of fluorinated organic compounds with widespread use in industrial processes, certain types of firefighting foams, and consumer products. They have been termed “forever chemicals” and have been found to contaminate ground water, surface water, drinking water, human serum and other environmental media across the globe. Toxicological studies have raised concerns regarding potential public health concerns of some PFAS materials.
Currently, in the United States, the regulatory standards for PFAS treatment are primarily driven by drinking water mitigation and focused on a small subset of PFAS. Full-scale treatment of PFAS-impacted liquids or solids is currently limited to sequestration technologies that remove or bind PFAS but do not totally destroy them. Transformational or destructive technologies, including bioremediation, chemical and electrochemical treatment and thermal technologies, are currently in development and testing to address this concern.
This repartee assembled a group of CEO’s that are actively involved with finding ways to destroy PFAS. They shared the advances that their companies are bringing to market, discussing how these technologies complement existing removal methods and their thoughts of the challenges ahead.
Utilizing Dashboard Solutions to Administer Chicago’s Free Lead Testing Program
Webinar, Free
Hosted by the City of Chicago Department of Water Management
The City of Chicago Department of Water Management (DWM) is responsible for providing nearly 1 billion gallons of drinking water each day to almost half the State of Illinois. Within the city limits alone, the DWM services a population of 2.7 million residents. Like many other utilities in the country, Chicago is faced with the challenges posed by aging water infrastructure, including the presence of hundreds of thousands of lead service lines connecting water mains to homes throughout the City. As part of the DWM’s commitment to ensuring good water quality and educating its residents, the DWM has offered Chicago residents free water lead testing since the 1980s. Due to an exponential increase in requests for water lead testing after the widely-publicized water issues in Flint, MI in 2016, the DWM streamlined its free testing program and adopted the system that exists today. This 311 Lead Testing Program has received over 88,000 requests since 2016 and continues to offer Chicago residents one of the most comprehensive free water lead testing services in the country.
Administering a program of this size requires extensive technical development and support. Managing the collection, storage, availability, and security of data is a critical part of the success of the program. For Chicago’s 311 Lead Testing Program, an advanced data management software was adopted, and dashboard enabled digital solutions were deployed. These solutions are able to link large data sets from different sources and compile data for analysis and reporting purposes. Interactive dashboards are utilized to visualize data and switch from “big-picture” to micro program metrics in just a few clicks. Presenting program data and performance indicators to stakeholders including engineers, utility management, and elected officials is an effective way to help make real-time, data-driven decisions.
Wednesday, September 30, 2020
VIRTUAL PROGRAM DETAILS
IEC Lunch & Learn Panel
Short Panel with Q&A, Free
Hosted by the Illinois Environmental Council
IEC hosted a panel of experts to discuss shoreline erosion in the Great Lakes. Recently, Great Lake water levels have been historically high, threatening beaches, homes, businesses and infrastructure along the shores. Solutions like the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative have supported shoreline restoration jetports but there are also international and local efforts being made to combat shoreline erosion. During the discussion, policy experts, elected officials and community leaders from around the Great Lakes addressed both problems and solutions to this complex and far-reaching issue.
Speakers:
Pete Zuzek, Zuzek Inc.
Curtis Tarver II, Illinois State Representative
Maria Hadden, Chicago 49th Ward Alderwoman
Ted Haffner, Openlands
Watch the event here.
Third Coast Water Seminar Series: Waterborne Disease (COVID-19)
Presentation with Q&A, Free
Hosted by Current with Argonne National Laboratory, Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, the University of Illinois at Chicago, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
This was the inaugural Third Coast Water Seminar, which featured Dr. Rita Colwell from the University of Maryland. The event, which kicked off during the first-ever #ChiWaterWeek and focused on waterborne disease (specifically #COVID19). It was the first of a monthly series that will dive into the latest research in water-related technologies, and is intended to spur collaboration and solve pressing water challenges.
How the City of Big Shoulders is Addressing the Global Water Crisis
Conversation, Free
Hosted by Surge for Water
Chicago, a thriving metropolis, is characterized by much of what defines a leading global city. A hub for connectivity, a cultural capital, home to world-class universities and hospitals, a flourishing immigrant population, visionary leaders – it plays an integral role in propelling the global economy. We’re also a leader in innovation, with one of the largest water filtration and treatment plants in the world.
Blessed with abundant water on the banks of Lake Michigan – Chicago also has a history of giving back locally and globally. With 2.1 billion people in the world lacking access to safe water, Chicago-based nonprofits like Surge for Water, their local corporate partners and team members are helping solve the global water crisis – right here – in your backyard.
This event featured an in-depth conversation that highlighted Surge’s sustainable global work and how everyday Chicagoans are taking local action to make far reaching global impact! Attendees heard from Surge for Water’s Founder, Shilpa Alva, and their local Corporate Partner, Jordan Robinson of SBB Research Group.
Watch the event here.
Total Water Technology Seminar
Virtual Seminar, Registration fee
Hosted by the Illinois Section American Water Works Association (ISAWWA) Technology Committee
An event for water professionals to learn more about cutting edge technologies, cybersecurity, hardware and software innovations, and other technology-related services for the water industry. A diverse group of speakers from around the country showcased how organizations across the nation are implementing and utilizing the latest and greatest technology.
Watch the event here.
Thursday, October 1, 2020
VIRTUAL PROGRAM DETAILS
Water, Water Everywhere:
First-Person Flooding, Impact & Action
Panel discussion with Q&A, Free
Hosted by Third Coast Disrupted, a collaboration between Columbia College Chicago, DePaul University’s Institute for Nature and Culture, and Terracom
More frequent intense rainstorms and flooding are among the devastating and costly impacts of the Chicago region’s changing climate. Like other effects, they hit communities of color hardest. This event discussed the health concerns, from a personal and public health perspective, as well as the local public-private partnerships and government efforts that provide relief and increase resilience.
This program was presented in conjunction with Third Coast Disrupted: Artists + Scientists on Climate, an art exhibition taking place at Columbia College Chicago's Glass Curtain Gallery. Learn more here.
Watch the event here.
From Local to Global: Water Insecurities
Panel, Free
Hosted by Surge for Water
A conversation around environmental and systemic racism and its connection to water insecurity at home and abroad as our global society reckons with social injustice with a backdrop of a pandemic.
While safe water is a basic human right, marginalized communities around the world still struggle with access. Inequities and aging infrastructure in Chicago and other parts of the US -- mirror the experiences of many developing communities around the world. A variety of organizations and stakeholders discussed these life-threatening issues and shared steps they're taking to make their communities water secure.
Panelists included representatives from Surge for Water, Climate Resilience Consulting, W.S. Darley, and NRDC.
Watch the event here.
Mobilizing Science to Enhance the Value of Great Lakes Waterways for Wildlife and Communities
Virtual presentation with facilitated Q&A, Free
Hosted by Shedd Aquarium
Lake Michigan, the Chicago River, and numerous creeks and wetlands are home to a diversity of aquatic life in our backyard. The Shedd Aquarium Conservation staff explored the innovative ways in which they are working with partners to address threats to these environments and the animals that call them home. From transforming applied science into impactful policy and creative use of technology, to mobilizing communities to act for animals, they emphasized the need to restore and preserve Chicagoland’s waterways for wildlife and people.
Watch the event here (passcode: +X9$PKE@).
Propelling Our Blue Economy
Virtual Panel Discussions and Keynote Speaker, Registration Fee
Hosted by Current
This was the signature event of Chicago Water Week 2020. We explored the major players in Chicago and Illinois' blue economy and the actions needed to ensure the sector thrives. Attendees learned about the suppliers of innovative water technologies and the companies that use and implement them to solve their water challenges. And heard from leading innovators, researchers, investors, and industry users who have built successful innovation communities - both locally and globally.
This event was also part of the Innovation Pavilion at WEFTEC Connect.
Speakers included:
Leading the Way by Providing Water Infrastructure Solutions to Meet the Needs of a 21st Century Economy
Webinar, Free
Hosted by Greeley and Hansen
The Chicago Department of Water Management (DWM) provides safe drinking water to approximately 42% of the population of Illinois. Fortunately for the region, Chicago has a vast supply of quality source water and a robust treatment and distribution system. This panel discussed Chicago’s water availability and quality and its impact on the regional economy. DWM leaders and local industry experts shared their perspectives on leading, managing, and operating a utility and water system in order to provide proactive leadership and implement a robust capital program in alignment with a regulatory strategy that is required to effectively lead and manage a Utility for the Future. Challenges, opportunities, lessons learned, and future directions were discussed. As the water industry evolves, so do the expectations of the communities water utilities serve. The DWM is leading the way in meeting those expectations; this includes expectations of job creation, diversity, social justice, affordability, and business incentives, as well as the outcomes of water quantity abundance, water quality excellence, and efficient delivery through a multi-faceted CIP and operational strategies.
Panel Moderator:
Panelists:
Our Grandchildren's Water: Let Justice Roll like Waters
Virtual Tour, Free
Hosted by Faith in Place
A virtual tour of ways faith communities protect and preserve water resources, featuring rain gardens, rain barrel/garden combos, and an innovative, science based water curriculum for use by diverse faith communities.
Water Access for Urban Food Production and Sovereignty
Panel discussion with Q&A, Free
Hosted by Plan Heal
Plan Heal held an important and engaging conversation about water access and urban food production. Panelists engaged with questions from audience viewers to discuss:
Moderator:
Panelists:
Intelligent Water Systems Webinar
Webinar, Registration Fee
Hosted by the LIFT Committee of Illinois Water Environment Association
Whether you call it digital water, smart water, intelligent water, digital twins or smart infrastructure, the water industry is progressing towards the digital utility of the future. Applying advanced data analytics through machine learning (ML) artificial intelligence (AI) to make more informed decisions is emerging across the water, wastewater, and stormwater industry. Attendees of this webinar heard experts talk about ongoing AI projects in the Chicago Area and the potential of this technology to revolutionize current approaches to water management. The event qualified for continuing education credits.
Networking and Trivia Hour!
Trivia, Registration Fee
Hosted by the LIFT Committee of Illinois Water Environment Association
This fun activity served as a break where teams worked together while raising money for a terrific organization – H2O for Life - that offers service-learning opportunities to engage, educate and inspire youth to solve the global water crisis! It delivered a variety of fun and challenging questions and quality networking time. Attendees registered individually or as a team. There were a few questions related to the webinar on the Intelligent Water Systems held just before Trivia... hmm!
Friday, October 2, 2020
VIRTUAL PROGRAM DETAILS
Materials for Water
Webinar, Free
Hosted by Argonne National Laboratory
Manufacturing innovations will play a significant role in solving the global water crisis. How can we use pioneering technologies to deliver next-generation purification materials — selective and resistant to fouling and degradation in energy-intensive applications — that are fundamental to clean water accessibility? Experts below shared.
Webinar moderator Junhong Chen, lead water strategist at Argonne, capped off the webinar with a virtual tour where you could see for yourself the state-of-the art equipment and technologies available to industry partners in Argonne’s newly expanded Materials Engineering Research Facility.
Learn more about Argonne’s water work.
Watch the video here.
JUSTICE ACTION GROUPS: Blueprint For Changing Course
Webinar, Free
Hosted by Blacks in Green and Black Chicago Water Council
Across America and across the spectrum of water concerns, Blacks in Green has begun to chart a new course for justice ~ beginning with neighbors connected with experts for community-driven solutions. Neighbors identify self-interests and Black Chicago Water Council helps inform, organize, and resource them for short and long-term cures.
Celebration of Water Innovation Organizations
An Update on What's Happening Across the U.S. at Different Water Innovation Hubs, Free
Hosted by Water Environment Federation (WEF)
This was a private event recording.
Part of the Innovation Pavilion at WEFTEC Connect.
©2020 Current Innovation, NFP